How Musa Juma shaped Kenyan rhumba and continues to inspire fans 15 years after his death

Musa Juma, popularly known as MJ Wuod Usonga, was a leading rhumba and benga musician from Alego Usonga in Siaya whose music blended traditional Luo benga with Congolese rhumba to create a polished, classy sound that still moves fans today. He died suddenly on March 15, 2011 in Mombasa at the peak of his career after returning from a seven‑month United States tour, leaving a big gap in Kenya’s rhumba scene that many feel has never been filled. As a composer, lead guitarist and singer, Musa released several albums such as Macelina, Clerkson Otieno Jamigingo, Auma, Siaya Kababa, Gidali and Ufisadi, where he promoted culture, public education and social awareness while also singing love songs and warning against immorality and reckless relationships.

Known for being cool, calm and collected on and off stage, Musa carried himself with discipline and humility, avoiding vulgar lyrics and flashy antics that many current artistes use to attract attention. He did not accept gifts while performing, stuck to his own song order, and sang in Dholuo, Kiswahili and English, which helped his music cross ethnic and generational lines across Kenya and in the diaspora. Even over a decade after his death, his songs like Hera Mudho, Hera Mwandu, Maselina and Siaya Kababa still play in clubs, homes and online, and fans continue holding tribute events, listening parties and online memorials to honour his legacy and keep his style alive for new generations of benga and rhumba musicians.